Chromatography column

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a chromatography column for high-pressure liquid chromatography, which can be provided with different connection systems, such as a cartridge retaining device or a reducing screw. The column tube ( 1, 11 ) of the inventive chromatography column has an external thread ( 4,18 ) at each end and at least one groove ( 3,14 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a chromatography column forhigh-pressure liquid chromatography, which, owing to its design, can beprovided with various connection systems, such as a cartridge holder ora thread adapter.

[0002] Two different systems are known for connection of HPLC columns:chromatography columns for direct connection to eluent feed anddischarge or cartridge systems with replaceable column cartridges.

[0003] Chromatography columns usually have an external thread onto whichthe connections (adapters) for eluent feed and discharge can be screwed.In addition, sealing and filter elements are frequently incorporatedinto the thread adapter. By contrast, column cartridges do not havedirect screw-joint means. They are clamped in cartridge holders or, asdescribed in DE 35 19 725 or G 90 05 896, provided with a removablescrew joint. The advantage of column cartridges is that on replacementof a spent column, it is only necessary to purchase a replacement columncartridge, but not the reversible connection or clamping system. Afterbuying the entire cartridge system once, the consumer accordingly onlyrequires the column cartridges. Without the connection or clampingsystem, however, column cartridges cannot be used. Consumers who do nothave a connection or clamping system have to procure chromatographycolumns with external thread and thread adapter.

[0004] In turn, suppliers of chromatography columns have to offercorresponding columns for each system. For a particular type of supportmaterial and column size, a supplier therefore has to offer at least twoproducts: a column with direct thread adapter and a cartridge column.This is inconvenient in production and filling and requires twice thestocks.

[0005] The object of the present invention was therefore to provide achromatography column which enables universal use in both connectionsystems.

[0006] It has been found that a universal chromatography column can beprovided if a cartridge column having grooves for the attachment of thecartridge screw joint is additionally provided with an external thread.

[0007] The present invention therefore relates to a chromatographycolumn consisting of a sorbent-filled column tube which has filter andsealing elements at both ends, characterised in that the column tube isprovided at both ends with at least one groove and an external thread.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the chromatography column according tothe invention has at both ends of the column tube an external thread andan annular groove incorporated into the external thread.

[0009] The present invention furthermore relates to a cartridge systemwith connections for solvent feed and discharge which contains achromatography column according to the invention as column cartridge.

[0010] The present invention moreover relates to the use of achromatography column according to the invention for the chromatographicseparation of at least two substances.

[0011] The figures show a preferred embodiment of the chromatographycolumn according to the invention. Since the column preferably has asymmetrical construction, only one end of the column is shown in eachcase.

[0012]FIG. 1 shows a section through a column end with attached directscrew joint.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a section through a column end with attachedcartridge screw joint.

[0014] The chromatography column according to the invention correspondsto known chromatography columns in size, shape, material and filling.The column tube is typically filled with a sorbent and sealed withfilter and sealing elements. Filter and sealing elements are known tothe person skilled in the art. The column tube preferably consists ofmetal, for example stainless steel. At least one groove and an externalthread are provided at both ends on the outside of the column tube. Theexternal thread corresponds to that of a chromatography column fordirect screw connection. In addition, at least one, preferably annulargroove is incorporated into the column tube in the external thread orabove or below the external thread. This groove enables integration ofthe chromatography column into a cartridge system. A pre-column isintegrated, depending on the use of the chromatography column, as isknown for columns with external thread or cartridge systems (for exampleEP 0 268 185).

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the chromatography column correspondsto an RT ready-made stainless-steel column with external thread whichcan be purchased, for example, from Merck KGaA, Germany, into the endsof whose column tube a recess for the accommodation of filter andsealing element has additionally been incorporated internally and anannular groove has additionally been incorporated externally at the endsin such a way that the column can be employed in a cartridge systemcorresponding to EP 0 268 185, such as, for example, the manu-CART®cartridge system from Merck KGaA.

[0016] The chromatography column according to the invention can beemployed in any cartridge system in which the connections for solventfeed and discharge are fixed via half-shells, which are inserted intothe grooves at the ends of the column.

[0017] The chromatography column according to the invention achieves asimplification of the product range for customers and manufacturers. Thechromatography column according to the invention combines all advantagesof chromatography columns for direct connection with those of cartridgesystems with replaceable column cartridges. The user can employ thechromatography column in both systems as desired. Mixed connection isalso possible. The manufacturer can reduce the range of chromatographycolumns by half and thus saves logistics and storage costs.

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a section through a column end with attached directthread adapter. A sealing and filter element (2) has been introducedinto the column tube (1) internally at the end of the tube. An annulargroove (3) and an external thread (4) above and below the groove arelocated on the outside of the column tube (1). The groove (3) is notneeded on use of a direct thread adapter. Instead, the union nut (5) isscrewed onto the external thread (4). Through the union nut, thepressure piece (8) with securing ring (7) for connection of the eluentfeed and discharge is fixed on the sealing and filter element (2).

[0019]FIG. 2 shows a section through a column end with attachedcartridge screw joint. A sealing and filter element (17) has beenintroduced into the column tube (11) internally at the ends. An annulargroove (14) and an external thread (18) above and below the groove arelocated on the outside of the column tube (11). The external thread (18)is not needed on use of a cartridge screw joint. Instead, twohalf-shells (13), which hold the supporting nut (12) in position, are inthis case placed against the groove (14). A union nut (15) is screwedonto the supporting nut (12) and again fixes the pressure piece (16) forconnection of the eluent feed and discharge on the sealing and filterelement (17).

[0020] Even without further details, it is assumed that a person skilledin the art will be able to utilise the above description in its broadestscope. The preferred embodiments and examples should therefore merely beregarded as descriptive disclosure which is absolutely not to beregarded as limiting in any way.

[0021] The complete disclosure content of all applications, patents andpublications mentioned above and below, in particular the correspondingapplication DE 100 50 402, filed on 12.10.2000, is incorporated intothis application by way of reference.

1. Chromatography column consisting of a sorbent-filled column tubewhich has filter and sealing elements at both ends, characterised inthat the column tube is provided at both ends with at least one grooveand an external thread.
 2. Chromatography column corresponding to claim1, characterised in that the column tube has at both ends an externalthread and an annular groove incorporated into the external thread. 3.Cartridge system with connections for solvent feed and discharge,characterised in that it contains a chromatography column correspondingto one of claims 1 and 2 as column cartridge.
 4. Use of a chromatographycolumn corresponding to claim 1 or 2 for the chromatographic separationof at least two substances.